Another (half-)year, another Virtual Vegan Potluck (VVP 2013)! First off, a BIG THANK YOU to all helpers and of course Ann Oliverio from anunrefinedvegan for organising this beautiful blogging event. For everyone who doesn´t know: the VVP is a blog circle that connects many bloggers from all over the world, to make an awesome virtual vegan feast. There are appetisers, beverages, salads, main dishes, desserts and many more categories. This time I am the first in the blog circle. Wow. I can´t wait to see what everyone else brings^^ you will find the link to the next blog below the recipe.

These were gorgeous. I was surprised how simple it was to make them, and the taste was unbelievable. Some say frying can be complicated, but for me it was very intuitive, and that comes from someone who rarely shallow-fries anything. It was very easy. Do try, and tell me how it went.

Also I urge you to make the green tomato chutney. Now, you may have never used green tomatoes, or you just don´t know what to do with them. But there really is no reason, because there are more and more recipes popping up all over the internet. We had lots of them in the garden (8kg) and so far I have made two sweet jams, one version with orange and lemon, and another one with vanilla and ginger, I used them in savoury chickpea flour pancakes, and of course I made fried green tomatoes (recipe upcoming). And then there was this chutney. And of all the recipes – although they were all very good – this was the winner. It was so good. Sweet and savoury and sour from the vinegar and hearty and flavourful and just amazing. I had it on bread, and rice, and in a burger and I´m pretty sure it works with almost anything. Drizzle over your favourite salad. Spice up some leftover veggies. Serve with vegan cheese. Do it 🙂

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Vegan glutenfree fried “cheese” balls & Homemade Green Tomato Chutney

“cheese balls”

Ingredients:

firm vegan cheese*

ground flaxseeds, mixed with some hot water*

rice flour*

salt

optional: curry powder or other flavourings

Instructions:

Cut the cheese into cubes and flatten the edges and corners to form balls. Mix desired flavourings and salt with the rice flour. Roll in flaxseeds and rice flour, or just rice flour (see below for tips&substitutions). Heat up oil in a pan and fry for a few minutes. Drain on a paper towel to remove excess fat. Serve with green tomato chutney (or your favourite sauce). Best eaten warm.

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*Some tips for substitutions:

Flour: I am pretty sure you could use any flour that you like. I used rice flour because that´s what I had on hand, but feel free to use buckwheat, polenta, quinoa… you decide. (look here for a list of glutenfree flours)

Flax: I tried it with and without and have to say I liked the ones more that didn´t have it. With the cheese I was using it wasn´t necessary because the flour stuck to the “cheese” easily. You may need it for the cheese you use, or use some soy milk. Play and see what works for you.

“Cheese”: of course, the same goes for the vegan cheese. For all the lucky people in America I´m sure Daiya would be the best choice ( I wish I could get it here), but there is also Cheezly, Vegourmet, Jeezini, No-Muh,… everyone has their favourite. Buy or make your own. For this recipe it would need to be firm enough to form little balls, so I wouldn´t recommend creamy varieties. I used “Vegetal Original Ametlla” from Des de Maria Diet, an almond based cheese I found in a health food shop near Barcelona.

Cut the green tomatoes, onions and red chili as small as desired and peel and grate the ginger. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 1 or 2 hours. Sterilise glass jars, pour in the chutney and close. Eat with grains, veggies, salad, on bread… whatever you like.

And because I am bringing the first dish in this Virtual Vegan Potluck, clicking “go back” will bring you to the host page, VeganBloggersUnite. Click on “go forward” to be taken to Rubbercowgirls blog with a beautiful appetiser: Brussels Bruschetta & Empire State Cranberry Sauce, and on “Virtual Vegan Potluck”, if you want to know more about this event.

Happy Virtual Vegan Potluck – yay for being the first on the list! Whoo hoo! I love fried everything – but these fried cheeze balls are a must to try! I’m not a huge fan of sweet chutney – but I’m in for green tomatoes as long as it’s spicy!